COVID guidelines

COVID safety measures

We have always prioritized the safety of research participants and our team members.

Our ISO 9001:2015 certification demonstrates our commitment to quality assurance and controlled processes that are backed by audited training programs and documentation. In response to COVID-19, we have enhanced our safety precautions and modified our research protocols to reduce the risk of virus transmission.

Our commitment to safety applies to all visitors and employees of Bold Insight at all office and research locations.

Our clients and observers

We know how important observing your research is to your team. We want you to be an active part of the fieldwork! Depending on test stimuli and requirements, if remote observation is not an option we will work together to ensure the safety of your team.

Participants

Asking participants to visit our office during this challenging time can be difficult. To reduce stress and anxiety, we have implemented many procedural adjustments to make the end-to-end participant experience as contactless and safe as possible.

Our team

Whether in fieldwork or in the office, the safety of our team has always been a priority. Modifications to our procedures and workspaces have been made based on current CDC guidelines. We are also monitoring and adhering to all travel restrictions.

Research session safety

As health and safety guidelines evolve, we have a finger on the pulse of the latest best practices to maintain face covering and social distancing throughout the participant and observer experience. We have implemented processes to protect both researchers and participants. Recruiters will also communicate all procedures to participants in advance of fieldwork.

If research is not held at a Bold Insight location

The safety measures listed apply to our facilities (Chicago, IL and Downers Grove, IL). If your research is being conducted at another facility, specific procedures and safeguards may differ, but we will ensure that they are at minimum equivalent to those listed below. Everything will be communicated to you prior to the start of fieldwork.

Participant experience

Your experience as a Bold Insight participant starts with your contact from the recruiter. If you qualify for our study, you will be asked additional COVID-related, public health safety questions at time of initial screening and again during confirmation calls.

For most studies, consent and compensation forms are contactless. If they are not, we use disposable materials.

All high-touch surfaces are disinfected in between each session. We will sanitize the test environment and all test materials with various disinfection procedures including disinfectant spray, lights, and disinfectant wipes.

Every session uses disposable pens and only bottled water will be offered. In most facilities, no snacks will be distributed before or during sessions.

Per Illinois state guidelines mask usage is optional for participants and guests unless otherwise required for the purposes of the study. If you don’t have one, we will provide one for you.

Per CDC guidelines, you will be encouraged to practice frequent hand sanitizing before, during, and after your session. Hand sanitizer will be provided in every public area of our office.

Contactless compensation payments are offered via PayPal, physical check mailed after session, or Amazon eGift cards. You will be asked about your payment preference when you are confirmed for your session by the recruiter.

To keep you and our team safe, you are given our contact information and instructed to contact us if you exhibit symptoms for up to 10 days after visiting our offices. We will also notify you if someone you encountered at our offices begins to exhibit symptoms for up to 10 days after your visit.

In-person observer experience

If you are planning to observe research in person, you will be asked COVID-related, public health safety questions by our team the day before fieldwork is set to begin.

International clients:

The international COVID-related travel guidelines are fluid. We advise all international visitors to consult government and airline websites prior to travel.

Per Illinois state guidelines mask usage is optional for participants and guests unless otherwise required for the purposes of the study. If you don’t have one, we will provide one for you.

Per CDC guidelines, you will be encouraged to practice frequent hand sanitizing before, during, and after your session. Hand sanitizer will be provided in every public area of our office.

Any in-person observer who tests positive for COVID during fieldwork will be asked to isolate for 5 days regardless of whether they are exhibiting symptoms. It is recommended that you test negative and continue masking at all times for an additional 5 days even if you do not develop symptoms.

If you develop symptoms within your 5-day isolation period, continue isolating for a full 10 days. To return to in-person observation, you must test negative (either PCR or rapid), be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and any other symptoms must improve. If you are still feeling ill, please stay home even if you test negative.